Plug Dangerous Fence Gaps For Good With These Clever Blockers

Having gaps or holes at the bottom of your fence can cause major headaches. Unwanted critters like stray animals and pests can easily sneak into your yard through these openings and wreak havoc. Fortunately, with the right bottom fence gap blocking solutions, you can plug these problem areas and enjoy a more secure barrier around your property.

Read on to learn foolproof methods for fortifying your fence line against sneaky infiltrations!

Causes of Annoying Fence Gaps

Before covering solutions, it helps to understand what allows gaps to form along your fence in the first place. Here are some of the most common culprits of pesky fence holes and openings:

• Erosion around wooden fence posts over time
• Warping or buckling of fence boards due to weather and aging
• Animals like dogs, rabbits, or rodents burrowing under the fence
• Improper installation leaving spaces between fence base and ground

As you can see, fence gaps tend to appear when the structure becomes unstable. Securing your fence posts and base is key for preventing future breaches along the bottom.

Dangers of Gaps in Your Barrier

You might wonder, what's the big deal about small openings under your fence? Actually, these gaps pose significant risks including:

• Allowing pests like rats, mice, and snakes to enter your yard
• Enabling pets or small livestock to slip out and escape
• Undermining privacy in your outdoor spaces
• Letting stray animals trespass to dig, poop, or cause damage

For both security and peace of mind, keeping animals in and trespassers out is critical. Take steps to find and fill any problem gaps.

Measuring Fence Gaps

Before you can block fence holes, you need to find them. Walk along your fence line and inspect for potential gaps, especially where the ground is uneven. Use a tape measure to check how much space exists between fence and ground. Look for these problem signs:

• Obvious openings with daylight visible under boards
• Loose, wobbly posts that may allow gaps when shifted
• Evidence of animal digging such as burrows or scratch marks
• Areas where grass and weeds are sparse or soil appears disturbed

Carefully measure and document any concerning gaps so you know how large of a blocker is required. Even small openings of 2-3 inches can allow determined animals to breach your barrier.

Simple Wooden Blockers

For small fence gaps of just a few inches, a basic wooden filler may do the trick. Options include:

Kickboards

Attaching a long 1x6 or 1x8 inch wooden board horizontally along the base of your fence helps cover holes and prevent digging underneath. This solid barrier is harder to penetrate than just soil or chicken wire.

Horizontal Wood Inserts

You can also block gaps by cutting short pieces of wood to fit snugly between fence posts and the ground. Place these pieces at intervals wherever space exists. This prevents animals from squeezing through.

Pros: Simple, affordable DIY wooden fixes. Cons: Not as durable long-term, only works for tiny gaps.

Filling Gap Spaces

For larger fence openings, you need a more substantial filler material. Some budget-friendly options include:

Soil or Gravel

Pile up extra soil or dirt to create a mound covering the gap. Alternatively, pack rock gravel or crushed stone in the space. This makes it harder for animals to dig through.

Landscape Fabric

Line the ground with landscape fabric before backfilling with soil. The fabric helps prevent weed growth so animals are less inclined to start digging there.

Pros: Cheap DIY solutions. Cons: Requires maintenance as fill erodes over time.

Mesh Barrier Solutions

For a flexible physical barrier, wrap the fence line with metal mesh such as chicken wire. Or install an additional wire fence a few inches under the existing one to block burrowing. Pros: Conforms to uneven terrain. Cons: Not as aesthetically pleasing.

Securing Fence Posts

The most effective long term solution is preventing future gaps by securing wobbly posts. Consider these options:

• Boxed concrete anchors around posts for maximum stability
• Steel or rebar post spikes driven vertically into the ground
• Backfilled crushed stone post footings that stabilize without concrete

Properly anchored posts won't loosen or shift, eliminating gaps. But it does require more upfront effort and cost than simpler fixes.

Vegetation Solutions

You can use prickly plants to help deter animals from approaching your fence line. Try planting:

• Cacti
• Thorny rose bushes
• Holly bushes
• Yucca

Avoid planting anything too close that animals could use as leverage to jump over. Maintaining a plant barrier takes more work than other solutions. But it's natural looking if aesthetics are a concern.

Nobody wants their fence compromised by gaps and holes along the bottom edge. With a range of clever blocking solutions from simple wooden boards to sturdy concrete post anchors, you can defend your perimeter against uninvited furry pests.

Take time to carefully inspect your fence line and measure any problem gaps. Then choose an affordable fix that fits your needs and matches the gap size. Maintain your fence barrier regularly to thwart sly animals trying to find or create openings. With a secure, gap-free fence fortified against digging and burrowing, you'll gain privacy and keep trespassers out of your yard.